,spp., and Intestinal Lesions in Experimentally Infected Zebrafish.

Abstract

Intestinal neoplasms and preneoplastic lesions are common in zebrafish research facilities. Previous studies have demonstrated that these neoplasms are caused by a transmissible agent, and two candidate agents have been implicated: asp. related toand the intestinal parasitic nematode,, and both agents are common in zebrafish facilities. To elucidate the role of these two agents in the occurrence and severity of neoplasia and other intestinal lesions, we conducted two experimental inoculation studies. Exposed fish were examined at various time points over an 8-month period for intestinal histopathologic changes and the burden ofand nematodes. Fish exposed tosp. isolated from zebrafish were associated with preneoplastic lesions. Fish exposed to the nematode alone or with theisolate developed severe lesions and neoplasms. Both inflammation and neoplasm scores were associated with an increase inburden. These results support the conclusions thatis a strong promoter of intestinal neoplasms in zebrafish and thatalone can also cause intestinal lesions and accelerate cancer development in the context of nematode infection.